What is Omaze?
Founded in 2012 by Stanford University alumni Matthew Pohlson and Ryan Cummins, Omaze operates as an innovative online platform. It facilitates fundraising by connecting donors, influencers, and nonprofit organizations through sweepstakes offering luxury prizes such as homes and supercars. The company's mission is to democratize fundraising, enabling individuals to support charitable causes while having a chance to win life-changing rewards. Omaze's model has positioned it as a key player in the social enterprise and entertainment technology space, leveraging digital engagement for philanthropic impact.
How much funding has Omaze raised?
Omaze has raised a total of $129M across 5 funding rounds:
Angel/Seed
$1M
Multiple Rounds
$43M
Series C
$85M
Angel/Seed (2012): $1M with participation from Paige Craig, Andre Agassi Foundation, Adam Press, Dave Gilboa, and Kevin Wall
Debt (2020): $1M led by PPP
Series A (2020): $12M, investors not publicly disclosed
Series B (2020): $30M featuring Gaingels, Causeway Media Partners, Tusk Ventures, Inherent Group, BDM International, Guy Oseary, and FirstMark Capital
Series C (2021): $85M backed by WndrCo, T Ventures Management, FirstMark Capital, Causeway Media Partners, and Louis Bacon's Moore Strategic Ventures
Key Investors in Omaze
WndrCo
WndrCo is a venture capital firm that builds and invests in transformative growth companies across various industries, focusing on creating impactful teams and innovative products.
FirstMark Capital
FirstMark Capital is a venture capital firm specializing in the Information & Document Management industry, known for investing in companies with significant growth potential.
Gaingels
Gaingels is a leading investment syndicate supporting the LGBTQ community and allies, investing in high-growth companies with a focus on inclusive teams across various sectors.
What's next for Omaze?
The recent major strategic investment suggests Omaze is poised for further expansion and potentially new market entries or product developments. Given its enterprise-level funding context, the company is likely in a scaling phase, focusing on enhancing its platform capabilities, broadening its reach to more charitable partners, and potentially exploring new prize offerings or engagement strategies. This capital infusion will be critical for Omaze to solidify its competitive advantage and continue its trajectory of growth in the dynamic social impact and entertainment industries.
See full Omaze company page